2013 MLS Season, Week 2: Predictions

Can Vancouver make it two-for-two to start the season? (Anne-Marie Sorvin-USA TODAY Sports)

The weekend is finally here. Major League Soccer moves to it’s second weekend of the new season with eight games across two days. We have three teams sitting things out this week due to their play in the CCL, Houston, LA and Seattle are all off this weekend.

So what about the rest of the games for the week? To find out more on this week, you can always find my weekly archives here.

Time to get down to the predictions that will surely go wrong in the end. Feel free as always to leave your thoughts and predictions below in the comments section.

Saturday:

Sporting KC at Toronto FC: SKC is on the road for the second straight week and they once again get a team that they should be able to run all over. Toronto still has some injury issues up front and while they looked better defensively in Week 1 against Vancouver, I’m still not sold on them being anything great just yet. Graham Zusi looked great in week one and I would imagine he’ll be able to continue his early MVP form in Week 2.

WVH Predictions: SKC 3, Toronto 1

Philadelphia Union at Colorado Rapids: This one could be interesting given the snow storm that is projected for this weekend in Denver. Break out the orange balls huh? Either way, it could be trouble for the Union as they have yet to beat Colorado in their early history against the Rapids. The Rapids looked a little better than expected last week in their loss to Dallas, they controlled good portions of the game and found some good speed up front with rookie Deshorn Brown and Atiba Harris. The snow impacts this game to a draw however.

WVH Prediction: Colorado 1, Philadelphia 1

Real Salt Lake at D.C. United: The Black-and-Red without Dwayne De Rosario in Week 1 was a bit rough against Houston. United struggled to get their offense going without him on the pitch. I could see a similar thing happening this weekend against an RSL team that proved to the rest of the league that they haven’t lost a step just yet after all their roster shuffling over the offseason. This one could come down to a late chance by either team but I see it going level in the end. The cross-country trip always seems to do a number on the Western teams so that is part of this prediction.

WVH Prediction: DC 1, RSL 1

New England Revolution at Chicago Fire: We get to finally see what the Revs are made of this season with their debut in Chicago tomorrow. Is their defense really better? Can their attack create chances? Lots of questions to be answered. I think we’ll also see a better Chicago squad than what we saw in Week 1 against LA. No way they come out and go that flat against a conference rival. This one will be tight but I think the Fire edge the Revs in the end with a late goal.

WVH Prediction: Chicago 2, New England 1

Columbus Crew at Vancouver Whitecaps: This could be one of the more underrated games on the weekend. Both clubs looked good in Week 1. It will be interesting to see how Vancouver responds to the loss of defender and leader Jay DeMerit. Columbus will want to do exactly what they were able to do against Chivas last week, use Federico Higuain and company to drive the attack. But expect this one to be won or lost in the midfield for either side. I think the two week trip on the West coast ends up costing Columbus points in the end though, even though I like where they are headed.

WVH Prediction: Vancouver 2, Columbus 1

Montreal Impact at Portland Timbers: Another interesting match to closeout Saturday evening. Both teams looks pretty good at times in Week 1, each earning results. Portland looked like a good team in the second half against New York and if they can replicate that for 90 minutes, they’ll win this one. Montreal will do their counter-attacking style of play in this one and hope to catch the new look Timbers defense napping. I expect goals and then some in this one as I’m not sold yet on the Timbers defense while I think the Impact will slip up some in the back against some quality that Portland has up front.

WVH Prediction: Portland 3, Montreal 2

Sunday:

FC Dallas at Chivas USA: It is certainly possible to think that FC Dallas could over look Chivas USA for next week’s Rivalry Weekend game against Houston. Certainly plausible. Chivas is still going through different players in the lineup and I see more changes coming for this weekend’s game. Dallas just needs to get their attack going and find ways to utilize Fabian Castillo’s speed along side Kenny Cooper’s scoring ability. Expect a closer game than it should be but Dallas should come away with points.

WVH Prediction: Dallas 2, Chivas 1

New York Red Bulls at San Jose Earthquakes: Another Eastern team playing on the West coast for a second straight weekend. New York will be without Juninho for this one, that we know. San Jose should get more out of this one as they looked better than the 2-0 loss against RSL suggested. New York opted not to stay on the West coast for the full week of training which could come back to haunt them. I see San Jose doing just enough to frustrate the back line of New York on their way to three points.